in earnest

phrase

1

: in an earnest or serious way

The search began in earnest when the police arrived.

After light showers during the day, it began to rain in earnest in the evening.

It's hard to tell if he's making this proposal in earnest.

2

: not fooling : serious and sincere

We thought he was joking at first, but then we realized that he was in earnest.

Examples of in earnest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The 2026 Emmys were just three weeks ago, so planning for the 2027 telecast hasn’t begun in earnest yet. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

While some ideas on the album date back as far as 2022, Bridgers began writing and recording for the project in earnest in 2024. — Christine Werthman, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026

After filing for bankruptcy this year, Saks Global began restructuring in earnest. — Rachel Felder, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2026

The charter school movement began in earnest in the United States in 1991, starting in Minnesota. — Charles J. Russo, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for in earnest

• internist
• sternest